This looks like the week the fantasy football waiver wire gets real. Maybe it's not the case in every league, but with bye weeks starting to deplete rosters and injuries to key players piling up, it's time to make some tough choices.

Players you pick up now could help you the rest of the season. And some players who were cut earlier now have reclaimed their fantasy value. In fact, we have a whole section of replacements this week who fit the bill.

Recommended bids based on a free agent acquisition budget (FAAB) of $100 for the season.

BEST BETS

RBs Wendell Smallwood ($23) and Corey Clement ($19), Philadelphia Eagles. Starter Jay Ajayi was just put on injured reserve this week, leading to speculation the Eagles could make a trade to fill his spot. However, trades are much harder to make in the NFL than they are in fantasy.

There's little difference between the Eagles' two backups. (Charles Curtis of FTW feels the same way.) Smallwood gets top billing here because he's likely to be the early-down and goal-line back. He also outplayed Clement on Sunday with 68 total yards, three receptions and a touchdown. Both will have value, but the return of Darren Sproles will hurt Clement more, so don't go over $20 for him.

WR Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals ($13). Don't get too mesmerized by his 75-yard touchdown bomb. The rookie caught two other passes for 10 yards on Sunday. But it's OK to get excited about the possibilities with strong-armed QB Josh Rosen now at the controls. The Cardinals have opened up the offense ever so slightly -- and with top wideout Larry Fitzgerald battling a hamstring injury, Kirk should have more opportunities going forward.

WR Josh Reynolds, Los Angeles Rams ($11). The high-powered Rams offense lost two starters to concussions on Sunday, so Reynolds saw extensive action as the No. 2 wideout. He caught only two passes for 39 yards, but if either Brandin Cooks or Cooper Kupp can't play in Week 6, Reynolds will be worth starting in most leagues.

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WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers ($10). The rookie saw limited action over the first four weeks, but stepped forward with Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison out. QB Aaron Rodgers puts his receivers in position to produce -- and Valdes-Scantling did (seven catches, 68 yards, TD). If either injured receiver is limited in practice this week, we could see a repeat of Sunday's performance.

REPLACEMENTS

RB Alfred Morris, San Francisco 49ers ($22). As with every other player in this tier, it's highly likely Morris is already on someone's roster. But if he was dropped recently, it's time to pounce. Starter Matt Breida has an ankle injury and could miss several weeks, which puts Morris in line for a major increase in workload. In PPR leagues, don't forget about pass-catching fullback Kyle Juszczyk (14 catches, 197 yards, TD this season).

WR Mohamed Sanu, Atlanta Falcons ($18). The Falcons are great on offense and horrible on defense. That means plenty of targets from QB Matt Ryan for everyone, even someone who's usually the team's third wideout. Sanu was the big winner last week with four catches for 79 yards and a score. And next on the schedule: the porous Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense.

RB Chris Ivory, Buffalo Bills ($12). Although he's a clear backup to LeSean McCoy, Ivory is seeing plenty of action each week -- even if the production is minimal. If the Eagles look to reacquire McCoy to solve their running back woes, Ivory would take over the lead role.

WR Robby Anderson, New York Jets ($9). Two long TD catches from QB Sam Darnold put Anderson back on the fantasy radar. With Quincy Enunwa nursing a hand injury, Anderson could be a bigger factor this week vs. Indianapolis.

RB Alfred Blue, Houston Texans ($8). Starter Lamar Miller missed Week 5, so Blue should already be owned as a handcuff. He started Sunday and gained just 46 yards on 20 carries, but was effective as a receiver with eight catches and 73 yards.

WR David Moore, Seattle Seahawks ($6). A pair of TD catches against the Rams makes him an intriguing roster-filler, especially with the Raiders up next. He's behind Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett in the pecking order, but Russell Wilson's improvisational skills can make any receiver valuable.

SPECULATIVE PICKUPS

WR Tre'Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints. Filling in for the injured Ted Ginn, Smith flashed big-play ability with a couple long touchdowns among his three catches for 111 yards. The only reason he's not highly recommended is the Saints' upcoming bye should allow Ginn time to heal. Otherwise, Smith is worth monitoring.

TE Ryan Griffin, Houston Texans. When streaming tight ends, look for those who are getting opportunities. Griffin had nine targets on Sunday night, catching six for 65 yards. If the Texans are having trouble running the ball, Griffin will be used more as a safety valve.

TE Niles Paul, Jacksonville Jaguars. An injury to starter Austin Seferian-Jenkins opened the door for Paul. He had seven receptions for 65 yards -- his best single-game output since 2014.

RB Jamaal Charles, Jacksonville Jaguars. The former Pro Bowler and one-time fantasy stud was signed on Tuesday after the Jags lost Corey Grant for the season. Charles, 31, averaged 4.3 yards per carry with Denver last year, but hasn't been a viable fantasy performer since 2014.

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Drew Brees acknowledges the crowd after setting the NFL's all-time career passing yardage mark against the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Chuck Cook, USA TODAY Sports